KINSHASA - Leaders of French-speaking nations ended a summit Sunday by calling for an overhaul of the UN Security Council to give Africa better representation, while host country Democratic Republic of Congo was forced to defend its rights record. Speaking at the end of the 14th Francophonie summit, held in the Congolese capital Kinshasa, participants said Africa - with its one billion people - needed a stronger voice in international dialogue. "We reiterate our support for the continuation of the reform of global governance for a balanced, multilateral system guaranteeing a permanent and fair representation for Africa in decision-making bodies," summit heads said in their closing statement. … [Read more...] about Francophonie urges African role on Security Council
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Vietnam will perform its important role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council
Vietnam will perform well to fulfil its great responsibility as a non- permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, worthy of the trust of the international community, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in an interview immediately after Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the Council for the 2008-09 term collecting a high number of votes from member countries. Here is the full text of the interview: Question: Could you elaborate on the significance of Vietnam’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term? Mr Dung: On behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Asian nations, permanent members of the UN Security Council and other UN members for electing Vietnam to this important position. In the wake of Vietnam’s entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the country’s becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council represents an … [Read more...] about Vietnam will perform its important role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council
U.N. Security Council condemns Syria over massacre
The U.N. Security Council on Sunday unanimously condemned the killing of at least 108 people, including many children, in the Syrian town of Houla, a sign of mounting outrage at the massacre that the government and rebels blamed on each other. Images of bloodied and lifeless young bodies, laid carefully side by side after the onslaught on Friday, triggered shock around the world and underlined the failure of a six-week-old U.N. ceasefire plan to stop the violence. Western and Arab states opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad put the blame for the deaths squarely on the government. But Damascus rejected the charge. "The Security Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the killings, confirmed by United Nations observers, of dozens of men, women and children and the wounding of hundreds more in the village of (Houla), near Homs, in attacks that involved a series of government artillery and tank shellings on a residential neighborhood," the non-binding statement … [Read more...] about U.N. Security Council condemns Syria over massacre
UN Security Council endorses Kofi Annan’s Syria proposals
Members of The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously endorsed proposals presented to Syria by Kofi Annan, the international envoy attempting to end a year of violence in the country. In a separate statement, they also condemned recent terror attacks in the Syrian capital of Damascus, reminding all such responses must comply with international law and safeguard human rights. The panel of 15 expressed its support for Annan, the joint special envoy for Syria of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, in a presidential statement, a device demanding consensus in the Security Council, but lacking in having the legal standing of a resolution, which carries the weight of international law. The condemnation of terrorism in Syria was issued in a press statement, one rung on the ladder below that of a presidential statement, informally representing the consensus of council members. The presidential statement endorsed the six-point proposal Annan presented to the … [Read more...] about UN Security Council endorses Kofi Annan’s Syria proposals
Six countries enter UN Security Council
"Peace and security are difficult to achieve," Kazakh envoy Kairat Umarov, who took the rotating presidency in January, told council members at a special ceremony. "You are going to have a real chance to make a difference."One after the other, ambassadors representing the council's six new member countries - five men and a woman, Polish envoy Joanna Wronecka - placed their flag among those of the body's nine other members.The UN Security Council has 15 members, including five with permanent seats who have the power to veto resolutions - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.Three women and 12 men are among the 15 ambassadors who will soon be seated at the U-shaped table in the center of the Security Council's chamber.In addition to Wronecka and US envoy Nikki Haley, Karen Pierce will take her seat later this month as Britain's new ambassador.The six countries who left the UN Security Council on Dec 31 are Egypt, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay. … [Read more...] about Six countries enter UN Security Council